The Lighthouse

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:105, 129-133

“The storm’s here,” Pete said as Dad closed the last window. Lightning ripped across the sky, making the lighthouse stand out. Waves crashed against the seashore with a fierce intensity Pete had never seen before.

“Looks like we finished just in time,” Dad said.

Pete ran into his room and grabbed a flashlight. “I’m ready.”

Marsha moved closer to the window. “Careful,” Mom said. “Let’s back away from that glass.” She looked around the room. “At least we still have electricity.” The lights flickered, then the whole house went dark. “Uh-oh,” Mom said.

Pete flipped on the flashlight and handed it to Dad. He smiled. “Perfect timing, son.”

Pete looked out the window. The power was off all over town—except the lighthouse. “I love that old lighthouse. Ships will sure need its light tonight to guide them away from the rocks and into a safe harbor.”

Dad shined the flashlight around the room and held the beam on a wall poster of the Statue of Liberty. “Did you know the Statue of Liberty originally was a lighthouse?”

Pete stared at the poster. “Really?”

“Yes,” Dad said. Lightning flashed and lit up the room. “It guided ships away from rocks and safely into New York Harbor.”

“It pointed them to safety—and freedom,” Mom said. “The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, welcoming the tired, the poor, and the mistreated to this country so they can get a new life and a fresh start.”

Dad shined the flashlight onto the Bible sitting on the table. “Can either of you tell me how the Bible is like a lighthouse?”

“It shines light on our lives and shows us the danger of sin,” said Pete, “and

it points us to Jesus.”

“Very good,” said Dad. “And how is Jesus like a safe harbor?”

Marsha raised her hand. “He welcomes everybody to Him and offers us a new life and a fresh start.”

“Excellent,” Dad said. “See? The Bible is like a lighthouse because it points us to Jesus and the new life He gives.”

Pete grinned. “No wonder I like lighthouses so much!” Matt Shoemaker

How About You?

Have you ever seen a lighthouse shining at night? Ships need lighthouses to protect them from rocky shores and guide them to safety. The Statue of Liberty is a lighthouse known for welcoming people to a new life in America. But no lighthouse shines as brightly as the Bible. It points us to Jesus and the new life and freedom we can have in Him.

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

The Bible shines like a lighthouse